I think there are people invested on this board pumping up that image for some reason. Not sure if you're part of them OP. It's like any school of a lot of kids--there are some who are friendly, some who are not. It's not a super-selective school so you're not going to get as much of the overt academic competitive spirit that you might see at another school, but there's plenty of drama around social life with people who are jerks, manipulators, immature, self-centered etc. that you will see at any college. There's nothing magical about the place that makes normal social life tensions disappear. It's tilted towards women and is one of the more predominately white of the public schools in VA. Not sure if OP is one of the people where that sub-consciously gives them 'friendlier vibes' or not.

I have a 2023 JMU graduate and could not make broad generalizations about the 20,000 students after many campus visits much less a single visit.

I can guarantee that 18-22 years olds everywhere look at their phones, sometimes look stressed, and are capable of smiling and being friendly, etc.

Everyone I know who went to JMU loves it. I can say the same thing for UMW and CNU, but I can’t for UVA or VT.
I think Virginia’s “smaller” schools have a lot to offer and shouldn’t be overlooked despite being less selective than UVa or VT. Not everyone wants a pressure cooker or cutthroat environment.

Anonymous wrote:My DCs grad class (nova public) had 50+ attend and many of them roomed together. My kid said no way - didn’t even apply.

Any VA public will have about the same percentage from nova. Why do people single out JMU?

Our sophomore Duke loves JMU. Choices in 2022 sealed it for him.

There are only 3 weeks left in the semester, the kids have projects, papers, and finals. So you may have encountered some stressed kids.

This is clearly just anecdotal, but I’ve never met anyone at any age who went to JMU who didn’t love it. I can’t say that about any other of the bigger Virginia schools.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to JMU back in the 80s and did not like it, mostly because I hadn’t expected the strong Christian vibes from so many kids. I hadn’t had any experience with the Bible Belt kind of thing before that. When I took my daughter to visit in 2013, I felt very much like it seemed like an extension of high school. I know lots of kids are happy there, though.

Funny you mention that—I have an adult friend who attended in the late 90s and she is very much that vibe, so I was expecting more of that when I visited with my daughter and was kind of disappointed not to have that takeaway AT ALL. Like it actually made me wonder if there are there any conservative Christians left in Virginia. (Not a snarky question and I know other DCUMers will be thrilled if they are a dying breed but I’m just curious)

Typical devolving into trolling. A thread starts on a positive and someone chimes in with something totally ridiculous, and from decades ago. This has a little of everything. Bible Belt. 90s. 2013. Conservative Christians.

Just missing relevance.

My DCs grad class (nova public) had 50+ attend and many of them roomed together. My kid said no way - didn’t even apply.

Anonymous wrote:I went to JMU back in the 80s and did not like it, mostly because I hadn’t expected the strong Christian vibes from so many kids. I hadn’t had any experience with the Bible Belt kind of thing before that. When I took my daughter to visit in 2013, I felt very much like it seemed like an extension of high school. I know lots of kids are happy there, though.

Funny you mention that—I have an adult friend who attended in the late 90s and she is very much that vibe, so I was expecting more of that when I visited with my daughter and was kind of disappointed not to have that takeaway AT ALL. Like it actually made me wonder if there are there any conservative Christians left in Virginia. (Not a snarky question and I know other DCUMers will be thrilled if they are a dying breed but I’m just curious)

It’s an extremely friendly place. Students say hello and hold doors. My experiences in phone calls to JMU are very positive; the people who work there are so helpful and kind.

My orthodontist, who also went there, calls it the happiest place on Earth! I can see why.

Agree with the above posters. I've had two kids at JMU, both very different people, and both felt completely at home and happy there. No one sees people from high school unless they go out of their way to do so. My kids had friends from many different states and parts of VA. Lots of organizations to join, great classes, a wonderful traditional college experience in a beautiful setting.

My son is currently a freshman at JMU and loves it. While there are 4 or 5 kids from his NOVA HS there he wasn't really friends with them in HS so if they happen to see each other they are cordial. He's made a ton of new friends and has joined clubs. He's being challenged and enjoys the social life.

for the people mentioning it's an extension of HS. Would love more elaboration on that.
As for kids on on their phones, what kids aren't these days and parents too.

My DC went and met kids from all over - made all new friends. Excellent outcome and loved the 4 years!

My dd likes it. We went to Choices last year. I thought it was well run. Only 3 or 4 kids from her HS went there, not like her HS at all!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to JMU back in the 80s and did not like it, mostly because I hadn’t expected the strong Christian vibes from so many kids. I hadn’t had any experience with the Bible Belt kind of thing before that. When I took my daughter to visit in 2013, I felt very much like it seemed like an extension of high school. I know lots of kids are happy there, though.

Really relevant, 40+ years ago and 10+ years ago.

Seriously. It's so obvious when someone just chimes in to troll.